# The Interview

> 2014 film directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg

**Wikidata**: [Q15524911](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15524911)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Interview)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-interview

## Summary
The Interview is a 2014 satirical action-comedy film directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, notable for sparking international controversy and cyberattacks due to its depiction of a plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Released in December 2014, it stars Rogen and James Franco as journalists who become embroiled in a CIA-backed assassination scheme. The film’s release was disrupted by threats from North Korean hackers, leading to a limited theatrical run and an unprecedented shift to online distribution.

## Key Facts
- **Directed by**: Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg.
- **Release dates**: December 24, 2014 (limited), January 2, 2015 (VOD), and staggered international releases through February 2015.
- **Starring**: Seth Rogen, James Franco, Randall Park, and Lizzy Caplan.
- **Genres**: Action film, adventure film, comedy film.
- **Production companies**: Point Grey Pictures and Columbia Pictures.
- **Countries**: United States.
- **IMDb ID**: tt2788710.
- **Rotten Tomatoes score**: 51% (Tomatometer), 52/100 (Metacritic).
- **Box office**: $12.3 million (worldwide).
- **Filming locations**: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
- **Runtime**: 119 minutes.
- **Language**: English.
- **Budget**: $44 million.
- **Music by**: Henry Jackman.
- **Cinematography by**: Brandon Trost.
- **Edited by**: Dan Gabbe and Evan Goldberg.
- **Screenplay by**: Dan Sterling, Seth Rogen, and Evan Goldberg.
- **Story by**: Dan Sterling and Dan Sterling.
- **Producers**: Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, and James Weaver.
- **Studio**: Sony Pictures Releasing.
- **Distributor**: Sony Pictures Releasing.
- **Awards**: 2015 MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance (James Franco).

## FAQs
**Who directed and starred in The Interview?**  
The film was directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, with Rogen also starring alongside James Franco as the main characters.

**What was the controversy surrounding The Interview?**  
The film faced unprecedented cyberattacks attributed to North Korea, including the hacking of Sony Pictures, and threats of violence against theaters. This led to a canceled wide release and a shift to online streaming, marking a pivotal moment in discussions about censorship and corporate responses to cyber threats.

**How was The Interview distributed?**  
After major theater chains withdrew support, Sony released the film in a limited capacity on Christmas Day 2014, followed by video-on-demand (VOD) availability on January 2, 2015, and digital purchases on January 5.

**What was the critical and commercial reception?**  
The film received mixed reviews, with a 51% Rotten Tomatoes score, and underperformed commercially, grossing $12.3 million against a $44 million budget. However, its VOD release generated significant revenue, with $5 million in digital sales within its first week.

**What cultural impact did The Interview have?**  
The film became a symbol of debates over freedom of expression versus national security. It also highlighted vulnerabilities in corporate cybersecurity and influenced the film industry’s approach to geopolitical sensitivities in content creation.

## Why It Matters
The Interview is significant for its role in a landmark cyberattack attributed to North Korea, which exposed weaknesses in corporate cybersecurity and prompted U.S. government sanctions. The film’s release strategy—shifting to online platforms amid threats—paved the way for hybrid distribution models in the industry. It also sparked global discussions about artistic freedom, corporate responsibility, and state-sponsored censorship, making it a case study in the intersection of entertainment, geopolitics, and cybersecurity.

## Notable For
- **Cyberattack Target**: Central to the 2014 Sony Pictures hack, one of the most high-profile cyberattacks in history.
- **Distribution Innovation**: First major film to pivot to simultaneous online release due to external pressures.
- **Geopolitical Flashpoint**: Directly linked to U.S. sanctions against North Korea and diplomatic tensions.
- **Cultural Satire**: Blended espionage comedy with controversial political themes, testing boundaries of cinematic content.
- **Awards Recognition**: Won the 2015 MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance (James Franco).

## Body

### Production and Release
The Interview was produced by Point Grey Pictures and Columbia Pictures, with a budget of $44 million. Filming took place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, from October 2013 to February 2014. The screenplay, written by Dan Sterling, Seth Rogen, and Evan Goldberg, revolves around a tabloid journalist (Franco) and his producer (Rogen) who land an interview with Kim Jong-un, only to be recruited by the CIA to assassinate him. The film premiered in Los Angeles on December 10, 2014, but its wide release was canceled after North Korean threats led to theater chains withdrawing support. Sony ultimately released it in 331 independent theaters on December 25, 2014, alongside digital platforms.

### Controversy and Impact
The film’s depiction of a fictional assassination plot against Kim Jong-un provoked a severe response from North Korea, which denounced it as an “act of war.” In November 2014, hackers linked to North Korea’s government launched a cyberattack on Sony Pictures, leaking sensitive data and threatening violence against theaters showing the film. The U.S. government formally attributed the hack to North Korea, leading to sanctions. The incident prompted debates about free speech, cybersecurity, and corporate capitulation to threats. The Interview’s release strategy—combining limited theatrical runs with online distribution—became a case study in crisis management and hybrid film releases.

### Critical Reception
Reviews were mixed, with critics praising the chemistry between Rogen and Franco but criticizing the film’s tone and pacing. Rotten Tomatoes reported a 51% approval rating, while Metacritic assigned a weighted average score of 52/100. Despite polarized reception, the film garnered an MTV Movie Award for James Franco’s performance and nominations for Seth Rogen’s comedic work.

### Cultural and Industry Legacy
The Interview’s release marked a turning point in the film industry’s approach to geopolitical sensitivities and cybersecurity. Its shift to online platforms highlighted the viability of digital distribution for major films, influencing subsequent release strategies. The film also became a cultural touchstone for discussions about censorship, with many advocating for its release as a defense of artistic freedom. However, critics argued that the film’s satire was overshadowed by its real-world implications, particularly the risks faced by Sony employees and the broader precedent set for cyberattacks on entertainment content.

### Technical Specifications
- **Runtime**: 119 minutes.
- **Language**: English.
- **Music**: Composed by Henry Jackman, incorporating orchestral and electronic elements.
- **Cinematography**: Brandon Trost’s work blended comedic timing with action sequences, shot digitally on Arri Alexa cameras.
- **Editing**: Dan Gabbe and Evan Goldberg’s pacing balanced humor with espionage plotlines.

### Connected Entities
- **Seth Rogen**: Co-director, co-writer, producer, and star.
- **Evan Goldberg**: Co-director, co-writer, and producer.
- **James Franco**: Starred as Dave Skylark, the celebrity journalist.
- **Point Grey Pictures**: Production company co-founded by Rogen and Goldberg.
- **Columbia Pictures**: Distributor and co-producer.
- **United States**: Primary country of origin, with filming in Canada.
- **Action/Adventure/Comedy Films**: Genres contributing to its hybrid tone.

### Awards and Nominations
- **2015 MTV Movie Awards**: Won Best Comedic Performance (James Franco).
- **2015 Teen Choice Awards**: Nominated for Choice Movie: Comedy and Choice Movie Actor: Comedy (James Franco and Seth Rogen).

### Historical Context
The Interview emerged during a period of heightened U.S.-North Korea tensions, with the film’s release coinciding with North Korea’s human rights criticisms and nuclear program developments. The Sony hack exacerbated these tensions, resulting in U.S. sanctions and a formal FBI investigation. The incident underscored the vulnerability of multinational corporations to state-sponsored cyberattacks and reshaped risk assessments for films addressing sensitive geopolitical topics.

## References

1. IMDb
2. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
3. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2788710/fullcredits)
4. The Movie Database
5. The Interview. Rotten Tomatoes
6. [Source](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2788710/releaseinfo/)
7. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2788710/releaseinfo)
8. BBC Things
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